Kukla's Korner Hockey

What’s seems to be at work here is nothing less than Darwinism on ice. Under the old rules, a team’s defense could do more to protect the goalie, and plays would develop more slowly. Over 2½ seasons of wide-open hockey, the goalie’s world has changed. He’s facing more and better shots. (In 2005-06, Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers set the league record for shots faced, with 2,488.) The greater number of quality scoring chances puts a premium on a goalie’s skills….

What does the future hold for NHL netminders? The league has considered increasing the size of the crease, and the rate at which goalies have adjusted to the recent rule changes may hasten this development. If it does come to pass, expect the league’s top goalies to grumble—and then figure out a way to keep those flying pucks in front of them.

read on... and I hope maybe it was a typo with “increasing the size of the crease”. The size of the nets, yes, increasing the size of the crease would mean even less goals…